Centerway Bridge reopens after $5.7M rehab

The ribbon was cut on the Centerway Bridge in downtown Corning on Wednesday, marking the completion of a major rehabilitation of the historic span over the Chemung River.

Derrick Ekek@the-leader.com

The ribbon was cut on the newly renovated Centerway Bridge in downtown Corning on Wednesday.

The ribbon cutting marked a major rehabilitation of the historic span over the Chemung River. Construction on the $5.7 million project began in August 2012, although the planning process took years.

The foot bridge connects the Corning Museum of Glass and Corning YMCA on the city's Northside with Riverfront Park, Centerway Square and Market Street on the Southside.

It opened in 1921, and carried vehicle traffic for 64 years, Mayor Rich Negri recalled. In 1985, the Brisco Bridge was built alongside it, and the Centerway Bridge was converted into a foot bridge.

But it had deteriorated to the point where a decision had to be made on whether to tear it down or repair it, Negri said.

The project was a collaboration between the city, the Gaffer District, Corning Enterprises and the state Department of Transportation, he said. The work was done by Fisher Associates and C.P. Ward.

"I think we can all be grateful the decision was made not to tear this structure down, and instead to rehabilitate it and turn it into such a beautiful walkway," said Brian Kelly, acting regional director for DOT Region 6.

Steve Dennis, the city's director of planning and economic development, called the bridge an "icon" and "a source of community pride." He said the project "continues the Corning tradition of historic preservation through creative reuse."

There were numerous improvements to the bridge, said City Manager Mark Ryckman.

The entire deck was removed, and an interior drainage system was installed to fix the issues that caused most of the deterioration. The deck was replaced, along with the concrete on the piers, arches, and spandrel walls, Ryckman said.

New lighting was installed, and landscaping was added on the deck, with grassy knolls between sidewalks on either side.

The popular children's maze was repainted on the bridge, and plaques with animal footprints for kids to identify were added. There are glass tiles reflecting the city's glassmaking history, and interpretive signs telling the history of the bridge and the Chemung River Valley on either end of the bridge, Ryckman added.

The project should add a quarter-century to the bridge's life span, he said.Coleen Fabrizi, director of the Gaffer District, called the bridge a "vital link" between the Northside and the Southside. She said it will be used as a platform for many of the annual events in downtown Corning, beginning with a fireworks show off the bridge during the Parade of Lights festivities on Nov. 30.

The Centerway Bridge is the second major city project to be completed this month, following the opening of the Corning Transportation Center in early November.